Blog

4 Things to Know Prior to Trying Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca, understood to Andean people as the “rope of life,” is a type of medicinal tea that is growing in popularity in recent years. It’s a complex brew made by boiling the Psychotria viridis leaves along with the Banisteriopsis caapi vine in water. This tea has been a part of Amazonian tribal history for hundreds and even thousands of years. Shamans used the tea to heal bodies, minds, and spirits as well as to receive wisdom and guidance through visions.

There aren’t very many plants with a story as interesting as those used for ayahuasca. There also aren’t very many with such a controversial history. Some see it as an incredible wonder medicine while others see it as a dangerous drug that harms the body.

Regardless of your personal opinion about ayahuasca, you can’t deny that you’re curious. Ayahuasca is known as a healing medicine that aids your physical, mental, and spiritual body. If you’ve been considering giving it a try, here are four things that you should know beforehand:1 - It’s an ancient medicinal brew, not a recreational drugThe indigenous Amazonian people believe that ayahuasca is a spiritual brew that can impact healing and wisdom upon people. It has been used to heal both physical and mental conditions. Aside from that, it’s a sacred tea that includes a ceremony.

The compound in ayahuasca that brings forth the hallucinogenic effects is Dimethyltryptamine (DMT). DMT can be found in plants, animals, as well as in your body itself. In ayahuasca tea, however, it affects the areas in your brain that deal with introspection as well as emotional processing, which explains the visions that people often experience.

Scientific research on the benefits of ayahuasca is limited because DMT is an illegal substance in quite a few countries. The physical cleansing that you experience through vomiting and purging during the ceremony does not necessarily make ayahuasca come across as an enjoyable experience. However, it can be incredibly insightful.2 - It requires intention and a goalThe ayahuasca tea is a very intricate medicine and should be treated as thus. You need to be prepared for your experience and not just be going on a whim. If you’re just looking for a trip or want to know what all the fuss is about, chances are you aren’t going to get much good out of ayahuasca. Those who truly experience the full extent of its power are those who have prepared and have intent to discover more about themselves and receive wisdom and guidance for their lives.

It’s important for you to be honest about your intentions for ayahuasca. No two people experience the same thing. Therefore, you need to focus on yourself. There’s no guarantee that you will experience powerful visions and receive life-changing guidance. Adjust your expectations accordingly. Your experience depends on your readiness to be guided by Mother Ayahuasca.3 - It’s an active experienceAn ayahuasca ceremony is going to be an incredible and powerful experience. You need to treat it with respect. You may discover things about your past that you never knew before. It may bring happiness or it may bring tears. The things that you have bottled down deep inside may come flowing out. It’s important for you to surrender yourself to the experience and take an active part in the healing.4 - It’s crucial to choose the right retreat centerThe majority of ayahuasca ceremonies last for around four hours. You may be experiencing purging, vibrant hallucinations, and intense spiritual healing, unable to tell the difference between your vision and reality. Or you may feel nothing at all. Regardless of your experience, it’s important for you to choose the right retreat center to share it with. This will quite possibly be a life-changing experience and you want to choose a center with good services and a shaman who is willing to guide you through the process. Make sure you do enough research and ask all the questions you need before booking your trip and drinking the fascinating brew.

If you would like to experience the healing offered by ayahuasca and are looking for a retreat to participate in, contact us today! We would love to have you along with us and play a part in your healing process.